Skyfall

The pressure to get it right this time must have been immense. After stumbling though the forgettable – and badly titled – Quantum of Solace back in 2008, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson were under the gun to get the Bond movies back on track. After all, 2012 marks the 50^th Anniversary of the spy series and the best way to tarnish a half century of 007 would be to make the Golden Gift to fans a flop. Not to worry. From the opening sequence, a nail-biting chase sequence that ranks among the best openings of any of the Bond movies, to the minute you see “James Bond Will Return” before the house lights go up at the end, Skyfall rocks. The action is spectacular, the humor as sharp as the creases in Bonds well-tailored suits, the script is tight and the acting – yes the acting – is spot on. Hell, even the title song, sung by British pop sensation Adele, is a perfect fit. Best of all, particularly for those who have spent a big chunk of their movie time watching Bond beat the bad guys  up there on the big screen, the film is filled with lots of references to the Bond films of  the past. Granted, not all of the references are as subtle as hearing the immortal catchphrase, “Bond. James Bond,” but the fans won’t mind. (And if you don’t feel your heart skip a beat when Bond uncovers the ultimate getaway car, then you need to go do your homework starting with Goldfinger.)